TechCrunch Startup News Score, the dating app for people with good credit, is back
Feb 13, 2026
A controversial dating app that once required high credit scores is relaunched with new inclusive tiers. The relaunch adds soft credit checks, verified identity options, and premium features tied to verification. The team discusses privacy, data security, past user credit trends, and plans to expand beyond the US.
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Viral Launch And Rapid Rise
- Luke Bailey launched Score as a dating app requiring a 675+ credit score and intended it to spark financial conversations between partners.
- The app went viral, stayed live for six months, and amassed 50,000 users before initially shutting down.
Financial Compatibility Was Underserved
- Bailey says Score tapped into an unresolved aspect of relationship culture: financial behavior matters but lacked direct conversation channels.
- The relaunch reflects demand to integrate financial responsibility into dating rather than a mere viral stunt.
Offer Tiered Access With Soft Credit Verification
- Score will offer a basic tier open to everyone and a verified tier requiring ID and credit verification via Equifax.
- Bailey says verifications use a soft pull and the app only receives confirmation that someone meets verified criteria without storing full reports.